We can all agree that the best photos end up being TRULY candid shots. These are photos where the subject isn't really aware that they are being photographed and are acting naturally. There has been a recent trend in wedding photography to create candid moments to enhance the final product. We can debate for hours whether or not this is a good practice, but it's definitely clear that real photo-journalistic images often have the most impact. SF city hall wedding photography sessions are no different. We do what we can to have the couple perform activities that look candid.
The more real it is the better and also the more convincing. We try to create these moments with our clients as well because they all ask for it. They tell us that they don't want posed shots, instead preferring "candid photos". We always try to give our clients what they want, but at San Francisco city hall it can often come down to creating some of these moments by giving our clients some simple instructions. This is necessary for civil ceremonies because there is usually no wedding reception coverage and so there are less opportunities for some of these impromptu magic moments to occur.
We encourage our bride and grooms to interact and have fun together. Our whole focus during the shoot is to make it fun and hopefully this creates moments worthy of recording. One example of our technique is to have the bride and groom walk together down one of the building's beautiful hallways while playfully (and gently) pushing each other to the side. This can often create some fantastic candid looking images. Is this true photojournalism? No, but it's great city hall wedding photography. To learn more about wedding photojournalism check out this website.
Is the main image an example of photojournalism? Is it a true candid image? The truth is that it is not completely candid. Andrea WAS sitting there on the front steps of city and looking off into the distance. I took a few shots without her knowledge and loved the result. But of course her dress was crumpled and did not look that great. So we redid the photo after fixing her dress. Definitely not a candid photo, but a photo that she loved and chose for her wedding album! Another funny thing about this image is that our bride was actually looking off into the distance hoping to see her Uber arriving!
Later they hired us to do 2 family portraits and we will be working with them in the future for other photoshoots. We always hope to maintain relationships with our City Hall brides and grooms after their wedding coverage. You never know when clients might need you in the future for Family pictures, baby shoots and other portrait work. We are happy to provide our clients with service for all of their future photography needs.